Toggle-actuated, pivoted jaw wrench



June 22, 1954 H. BUSCHMAN TOGGLE-ACTUATED, PIVOTED JAW WRENCH Filed Aug.21, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

INVENTOR flan 4R0 Base/mm ATTORNEY June 22, 1954 BUSCHMAN 2,681,583

TOGGLE-ACTUATED. PIVOTED JAW WRENCH Filed Aug. 21, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2ATTORN EY Patented June 22, 1954 TOGGLE-ACTUATED, PIVOTED J AW WRE NCHHoward Buschman, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Buschman ProductsIncorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York ApplicationAugust 21, 1952, Serial No. 305,669

5 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to wrenches, and in particularto wrenches having adjustable jaws. Wrenches of the general type towhich this invention relates are adapted to be used on nuts, bolts,pipes and the like. It is slow and time-consuming work to change thespacing between the jaws of adjustable wrenches. The change is usuallyaccomplished either by the rotation of a threaded shaft to which themovable jaws is secured either directly or by a pivot, or by rotation ofan internally threaded collar disposed operatively about a threaded rodto an end of which the movable jaw is connected. These methods and meansof adjustment are necessarily slow, awkward and time-consuming,depending on the speed of rotation of the threaded shaft or threadedcollar, and valuable time is lost in adjusting the wrenches from onesize to another.

The main object of the present invention, therefore, is the provision ofimproved means to vary the spacing between wrench jaws.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improvedwrench provided with adjustable jaws, the spacing between which may beadjusted linearly and by straight line movement of a suitable controlmember, rather than by rotation of a shaft or collar.

Other and further objects of the present invention will in part beobvious and in part specifically pointed out in the followingdescription of several illustrative embodiments thereof.

In the drawings annexed hereto and forming a part hereof,

Figure 1 is a part side elevation part longitudinal section through oneform of device constructed according to and embodying the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged part side elevation and part longitudinalsection of the heel end of the fixed handle component of the device ofFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly broken away to show interiordetails, partly in section of a modified form of wrench incorporatingthe control mechanism of the present invention;

Figure 5 is an enlarged part side elevation and part longitudinalsection of the heel end of the r fixed handle component of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Referring to the modification of the: invention illustrated in Figures 1to 3,. the wrench involved 2 comprises a pair of spaced-apart side frameplates I2, I2. A fixed head I6 is disposed between the head ends I4 offrame plate I2, said head I5 having a scored or ribbed inner face [8.Between the spaced-apart heel ends 29 of the frame is disposed alengthwise-extending spacer block 22, which is longitudinally aperturedas indicated at 24. The upper portion of block 22 is centrally channeledlengthwise thereof as indicated at 26, channel 26 being narrower thanaperture 24 but in communication therewith. An elongated, control rod 28is provided with rearwardly angled threads 29 thereabout, said rod 23 being of such diameter as to permit easy passage through and along blockaperture 24. The rear of rod 28 is provided with an enlarged manuallyoperable knurled head 30, the front of the rod terminating in across-head 32, the ends of which extend into and are trapped withinelongated lengthwise extending slots 34 in each of frame sides I2.

A detent 36 is pivotally secured within block channel 26, said detent 36having a forward reaching jaw with forwardly angled serrations 38 acrossthe underside thereof, of such spacing as to interfit and interlock withthe threads 29 about shaft 28. The rear end of detent 36 is pivotedbetween the sides of block 22 by pin 40 passing therethrough, the detentjaw being normally urged downwardly and into locking engagement with rod28 by means of a leaf spring 42. The front end 44 of spring 42 istrapped beneath a cross-pin 46 set into block 22 and across channel 26at its forward upper end. A medial" plates I2, I2 opposite fixed jaw I6,said triangular jaw 60 having a scored or corrugated side or face 62opposing face I8 of jaw I6. The upper end 64 of the base of triangularjaw 60 is pivoted by pin 66 to a link 68, the other end of which'ispivoted by pin 10 to the forward end I2 of a movable handle 13. Handle13 is likewise pivotally secured by pin 14 up from the forward end thereof to one end of a short link 16, the other end of said link 16 beingpivotally secured to and between frame sides I2 by pin I8. The lower end8|] of the .base of jaw 60 is pivotally secured by pin 82 to the upperend 84 of an arcuate' link;

3 member 86. The other end 88 of said arcuate link 86 is pivotallysecured between plates I2, 12 by pin 96. When fitted together in therelationship illustrated in Figure 1, the cross-head 32 of control rod28 bears against the rear curved edge 62 of link 86. It is to be notedthat the upper end of rod 28 is rotatably fixed in cross-head 32. Afiat, elongated, pre-set arched leaf spring 94 is provided, with one endthereof fixed between plates I2, I2, as at 93, and the other end thereofseated in a notch 98 in arcuate link 85, normally to bias link $6upwardly to'swing movable jaw 66 towards open position with respect tojaw IS, said spring 94 being further tensioned on downward movement oflink 86 so as to swing link 86 upwardly on release of pressure ofcrosshead 32 against the rear edge 92 of link 86.

As illustrated in Figure l, jaw faces i8, 82 are shown in spread-apartposition. When it-is desired to bring them closer together, for work onI a nut, bolt or the like of smaller diameter, jaw Gil need only bemanually swung toward fixed jaw is until the desired spacing isachieved. Thereupon, control rod is grasped at the headed knurled end 3cthereof and pushed inwardly and lengthwise of the'device untilcross-head 32 is butted against the rear edge 92 of link 86. Theangulation of rod teeth 29 is such that the rod will override notches 3Bin detent 3i permitting free movement of the rod upwardly even when thedetent is engaged with the control rod. When handle 13 is then pressedtowards heel ends 26, the heads 68, IE will be locked in the desiredposition, particularly since the engagement of detent teeth 38 againstthreads 29 will resist any rearward or retrograde movement of rod 28. Itwill be obvious that the position of cross-head 32 in slots 3d willdetermine the maximum distance between jaw faces I8, 62.

In the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 4 to 6inclusive, the fixed component comprises a generally U- haped framemember I It having a fixed jaw I I2 mounted between the sides at theforward end thereof, the sides at rear end III! thereof being turnedinto annular shape providing a lengthwise circular extending hollowsleeve H opening into the channel I it between the frame sides. Acontrol rod II8 is provided, threaded as indicated at I28 along itslength, terminating at its forward end fiat face I22, and at its rearend in an enlarged knurled head I24i. A pivoted detent I26 is providedand secured atop sleeve 5 I5, having a forward reaching head I28provided with forwardly angled teeth I39 at its underside extending overthe rear of channel H6 and interfitting with the rearwardly angledthreads 529 on rod H8. A manually controllable lever I32 extendsrearwardly from the pivot point I34 of detent H26 and a coil spring I36is trapped between sleeve H5 and the underside of lever I32, this springI36 serving normally to raise lever I32 and depress head l28 intotoothed engagement with rod H8.

A generally triangular movable jaw I50 is provided, having atransversely extending toothed face 52 opposing fixed jaw H2 on theupper portion of one side of the triangle. one side thereof is disposedwithin frame channel H6 and pivotally secured therebetween by pin Md;the other end of the base, extending upwardly out of frame H6 ispivotally secured by pin I46 to the forward end of handle Hi8. Astraight, elongated link I50 is provided, with one end I52 thereofpivoted to handle I48 by The base at transverse pin I54, the body oflink I50 depending into channel H6 with its other end I56 restingtherewithin in alignment with rod H8.

A coil spring I66 is provided, with one end thereof engaging the base ofjaw I40 as at I82, and the other end engaged in an opening I64 in frameH8. Spring IE0 is fitted as described under extension, functioningnormally to pivot jaw I42 away from jaw H2. The operation of thismodification of my invention is generally similar to that of the firstmodification hereinabove described.

When it is desired to reduce the distance between jaws H2, I42, they aremerely and manually urged towards each other into the desired spacingagainst the biasing of spring I60. This will pivot head I45] downwardlyin the direction of the arrow B and draw link I forwardly, whereuponcontrol rod is pushed into channel I I6 until the end face I22 thereofbears against the free end I of link I58, at which point the desiredspacing between jaws IIZ, I 32 is fixed; If desired, rod II8 may simplybe pushed forwardly against link I50 and the tension of spring I60 untilthe desired jaw spacing is achieved. The angulation of rod threads I20is such as to permit same to ride over and past detent teeth I30.Retrograde movement of rod I I8 in a straight line is prevented by theinterlocking engagement of detent teeth I36 with threads I26. A crosspinI66 through link end I56 serves to trap link i538 within channel H6.

As will be obvious, when it is desired to enlarge the spacings betweenjaws II2, I42 (Figure 4) and between jaws I8, 62 (Figure l) detents E25and 3% respectively are disengaged from the control rods, thuspermitting their retraction in a straight line. The contraction ofspring E68 will pivot jaw I ia away from jaw H2 and urge link I59rearwardly until it butts against rod end I22. It is possible in bothmodifications of my device to rotate the'control rods 23, H8 clockwiselyor counter-clockwisely for fine adjustments of the jaws, or even forfull adjustment over the permissible scale, exactly as done withconventional devices, but with the devices of my invention, the slow,tedious and time-consuming rotary adjustment may be avoided andadjustment made positively, quickly and easily by straight linereciprocating manipulation of the control rods. The detents are normallyengaged to lock the control rods, but they may be disengaged whenretrograde movement is desired to enlarge the spacing, and they may beshifted forwardly despite engagement by the detentswhen it is desired tolessen the distance between the jaws.

My devices are simple to construct and operate and may readily beincorporated in conventional devices at small cost.

Having now described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. A wrench comprising an elongated body portion having a pair ofopposing jaws at one end thereof, an adjustably positioned fulcrumrotatably engaging one of said jaws which jaw is relatively movabletowards and away from the other of said jaws, a lengthwise extendinghollow bearing sleeve mounted at the other end of the body, a

an elongated threaded rod disposed within said sleeve and engaging andmovable with said fulcrum, said rod being reciprocably shiftablelengthwise of the body selectively by screw thread rotation and bystraight line movement to control the position of said fulcrum and saidmovable jaw with respect to the fixed jaw, a toothed detent within thesleeve at said other end of the body normally engaging the threaded rodto limit same against straight line movement rearwardly of the body, therod being shiftable forwardly by straight lin movement and by screwthread rotation and rearwardly only by reverse screw thread rotationthereof during said engagement.

2. A wrench comprising an elongated body portion having a pair ofopposing jaws at one end thereof, an adjustably positioned fulcrumrotatably engaging one of said jaws which jaw is relatively movabletowards and away from the other of said jaws, a lengthwise extendinghollow bearing sleeve pivotally mounted at the other end of the body, anelongated threaded rod disposed within said sleeve and engaging andmovable with said fulcrum, said rod being reciprocably shiftablelengthwise of the body selectively by screw thread rotation and bystraight line movement to control the position of said fulcrum and saidmovable jaw with respect to the fixed jaw, a toothed detent within thesleeve at said other end of the body and spring means thereon to urgethe detent into engagement with the threaded rod to limit the sameagainst straight line movement rearwardly of the body, the rod beingshiftable forwardly by straight line movement and by screw threadrotation and rearwardly only by reverse screw thread rotation thereofduring said engagement.

3. A wrench as in claim 2, wherein the teeth on the detent are forwardlyangled, and the 6 threaded rod engaged with the detent is shiftableforwardly against the spring urging of the toothed detent against therod. threads, with the latter overriding the detent teeth.

4. A wrench as in claim 2, wherein the sleeve is longitudinally slittedand the detent is pivotally disposed within the slit with the toothedportion thereof directed against the rod extending through the sleeve.

5. A wrench as in claim 4, wherein the tension of the spring on thesleeve normally urging the detent into engagement with the rod isrelaxable to disengage the detent from the rod, whereupon the rod isstraight line reciprocably shiftable lengthwise of the body.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 587,974 Keith et a1 Aug. 10, 1897 786,844 Sanders Apr. 11,1905 936,980 Bing Oct. 12, 1909 1,060,391 Wilson Apr. 29, 1913 1,935,009Bluhm Nov. 14, 1933 2,487,281 Steokelberg Nov. 8, 1949 2,531,285Manspeaker Nov. 21, 1950 2,617,312 Prentice Nov. 11, 1952 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 976,867 France Nov. 1, 1950

